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BBC launches free Internet TV service

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LONDON -- Billed as the biggest change in the way viewers watch television in 40 years, the BBC launched an online service Friday that allows people to download many programs from the last week.

BBC director general Mark Thompson says the arrival of the "on-demand" iPlayer is as important as the first color broadcasts in the 1960s.

Viewers can choose from 400 hours of programs, between 60 and 70% of the total TV output, including hit shows such as "EastEnders, "Doctor Who" and "Planet Earth".

It faces competition from similar services provided by Channel 4 and ITV and from increasingly popular video-sharing sites such as YouTube.

The growth of the Internet, mobiles and hard-drive recorders that save hours of programs, has destroyed the notion of fixed TV schedules delivered through a TV in the corner of the room.

Broadcasters are under pressure to hold on to viewers by letting them watch programs when and where they want.

"Our vision is for BBC iPlayer to become a universal service available not just over the Internet, but also on cable and other TV platforms, and eventually on mobiles and smart handheld devices," said the BBC's Ashley Highfield, director of future media and technology.

The service, at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer, is free, but people will not be allowed to save permanent copies to their computer. It could take 30 minutes to download an hour-long show.

It is only available to people living in Britain with computers that run the Microsoft XP operating system.

Programs will be automatically deleted after viewing or after 30 days. Copyright protection software will prevent the copying of shows.